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Seashore Safety
Shingle Shores
Sands of Breckon
The composition of these beaches largely depends
on the local geology. Pebbles are deposited
according to size, with the largest ones at the top of
the shore. The shingle is moved around by the tides
and a series of peaked ridges may be thrown up by
storms. Many of the sand spits and bars around the
coastline have a shingle base.
Sandy Beaches
Varying in size, the sand mainly consists of finely
ground-up rocks and fragmented sea shells.
The composition, structure and angle of slope is
determined by wave action. Some beaches reflect
the local geology such as the sparkling mica sands
in Unst. The diversity of organisms on a sandy beach
is largely determined by the size of the sand
particles, smaller grains retaining most sea water
at ebb tide. This enables a greater diversity of life
to exist beneath the sand.
Mud Flats
Mud flats form where fine particles of silt and
mud accumulate on a level beach, often where
fresh water enters the sea. High levels of organic
material build up supporting large populations of
invertebrates, an important food source for waders
and shelduck.
1. Be aware of tide times and avoid being trapped by an incoming tide.
2. Check the local weather forecast before departing.
3. Be careful on slippery rocks, especially near the edge of the sea, and watchful of incoming waves.
4. Keep well clear of cliff edges, especially in wet conditions.
5. Do not touch any strange objects washed up on the shore as these may be dangerous. Any hazardous or suspicious items should be reported to the Coastguard or Police.
6. Please leave any bird corpses on or above the strand line as these are counted monthly on some beaches.
Seashores
A shoreline to suit everyone
Shetland Names
Shetland
name
Common
name
Shetland Common
name
name
Banks
Voe Wick
Geo
Skerry
Baa
Ness
Taing
Ayre
Noost
Craigstane/
craig saet
Waar/Tang
Banksflooer
Buggiflooer
Spoot
Skaddiman’s
Head
Sea cliffs
Sea inlet
Bay
Inlet with steep rocky sides
Isolated rock
in the sea
Sunken rock
Headland
Projecting point
Beach
Boat draw
Angling rock
along foreshore
Seaweed
Sea Pink
Sea Campion
Razorshell
Plucker
Buckie
Grottie
Buckie
Yoag
Ebb Wirm
Tirrick
Dunter
Shalder
Sandiloo
Stenpikker
Maalie
Solan
Sea craa
Loom
Skarf
Taamie
Norie
Sea Urchin
Sea Scorpion
Common
Whelk
Cowrie
Horse Mussel
Lugworm
Tern
Eider
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Turnstone
Fulmar
Gannet
Razorbill
Guillimot
Shag
Puffin
r, Delting
Mudflats at Swiniste
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Introduction
With around 1,500km of coastline, Shetland
has something to offer most visitors. Absorb
yourself in the day-to-day life of a seabird
colony amidst magnificent cliff scenery,
or take a gentle stroll along a
sandy beach. Let the children
investigate fascinating rock
pools, or step into the past and
explore some of the
archaeological features found
near the shore. Whatever your The action of the
waves is constantly
interests, allow yourself to
changing the coastline
relax and enjoy the scenery
and wildlife around you.
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3
2
Isle
Coastline of Fair
est
One of Europe’s fin
Spectacular cliff scenery is concentrated in the west
and north of Shetland and on Fair Isle and Foula. The
complex geology means that sea cliffs come in a range
of colours, such as the pinkish-red granite of Ronas
Voe, the reddish-brown sandstone of Sumburgh Head,
the blue-green serpentine of Fetlar and the dark
basalt of Eshaness.
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Rocky Shores
This is the predominant type of coastline in Shetland.
On exposed shores the constant pounding by the sea
prevents the growth of seaweed and allows only
hardy organisms like Barnacles and Limpets to
survive. Sheltered rocky shores support the greatest
diversity of seashore organisms tucked away in
crevices, pools and overhangs.
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5
Shetland Beaches and Shorelines
1
5
Cliffs
ian’s Isle
tombolos at St Nin
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10
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12
Rocky shore
at Cunnings
burgh
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14
Norwick: Scenic east-facing sandy beach.
Lund: Two sand and shingle beach complexes
with nearby archaeological remains.
Sands of Breckon: Extensive north-facing area of
shell-sand beach, dune and machair. Interesting
plants and archaeology.
Tresta: Fine sandy beach backed by shingle –
good for shells, especially tellins.
West Sandwick: West-facing sandy beach with
dunes and machair.
Eshaness: Impressive dark cliffs, geos & stacks
in volcanic rocks. Extensive blowhole at the Hols
o Scraada. Seabirds and coastal turf flora.
Sandness: Sandy beach at Norby and coastal trail
to Deepdale taking in spectacular cliff scenery.
Sands of Sound: Fine sandy beach, good rocky
shore with pools and boulder beach. Good site
for observing marine invertebrates and seashore
life at low tide.
Meal Beach: West facing shell-sand beach. Car
park and toilets at main road.
Bannaminn: Shingle tombolo and sandy beach.
St Ninian’s Isle: Classic example of sand tombolo
linking island to Mainland. Archaeological
interest on the island.
Spiggie Beach: Sheltered north-facing shellsand bay backed by dunes and machair which cut
off Spiggie Loch.
Pool of Virkie: Tidal basin with large area of mud
flat. Important feeding area for waders and ducks.
West Voe: South-facing sandy beach near
Sumburgh Head and archaeological sites at
Jarlshof and Scatness. Toilets at east end.
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14
Cliff scenery at
ness
Deepdale, Sand
An explorer’s guide to the seashore
All shores are influenced by the twice
daily tidal cycle. Extreme low and high
tides occur around the spring and
autumn equinoxes. The seashore
divides into a series of horizontal
zones with different plants and
animals living in each zone depending
on the length of time each area is left
uncovered. Zonation is best observed
on a rocky shore.
Many colonies of seabirds breed on sandstone sea cliffs,
which weather into a series of suitable nesting ledges and
crevices. These are occupied by Fulmars, Gannets, Puffins,
Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Shags. Ravens and Hooded Crows also nest here.
Safe from grazing animals and enriched by salt spray and seabird guano many cliffs
have colourful “hanging gardens” which may include Sea Pink, Roseroot, Sea Campion
and Moss Campion.
Turn over small rocks and stones
to expose seashore life. Many
animals attach themselves to the
underside of the rock as well as
sheltering beneath. Please make
sure you turn rocks and stones
back when you are finished!
Shingle beaches are the most
barren of all shorelines –
the continually moving pebbles
prevent colonisation by plants
or animals.
Shingle beaches also provide
valuable nesting habitat for
Arctic Terns, Oystercatchers,
Ringed Plovers and Eiders.
Oarweeds or Kelp grow in
shallow waters offshore.
Look for Eiders feeding on
mussel beds.
The middle shore, the area
between the high and low tide
levels, is exposed and submerged
regularly and is dominated by the
brown seaweeds known as
wracks. Species such as Shore
Crab, Periwinkles, Dog Whelks,
Barnacles, Limpets, Sea
Anemones and edible Mussels are
adapted to survive in this changing
environment. When the tide
recedes they avoid predation and
drying out by retreating beneath
stones and seaweed, remaining in rock pools or clamping tight
to the rocks. Look for a black encrustation on the rocks - not oil
but a black lichen called Verrucaria maura.
Shingle ridges above the average
high tide level accumulate
organic matter and are colonised
by plants such as Oraches, Sea
Sandwort, Sea Campion,
Silverweed, Sea Mayweed and
Goose Grass. A rare species
found at a few sites is the blueflowered Oysterplant.
Most of the permanent
inhabitants of a sandy beach, such
as bivalve molluscs, Lugworms
and Ragworms, live buried
beneath the sand. Look for the
shells of common species such
as Cockles, Trough Shells,
Sand Gapers, Carpet Shells,
Razorshells, Striped Venus
and thin Tellins.
Rock pools may contain small
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones,
Hermit Crabs, Sea Urchins
and Sea Slugs. Use a clearbottomed container for
viewing the inhabitants.
The lower shore is only uncovered
on low spring tides. Look for
delicate organisms which cannot
withstand prolonged exposure
such as Scale Worms, Sea Spiders,
Starfish, Brittlestars, Seasquirts
and Sponges. Shallow water fish
such as Butterfish and Fivebearded Rockling shelter under
stones.
The strand line accumulates
cast-up seaweed and other
debris which harbour tiny
crustaceans and kelp fly larvae
and is a favourite hunting ground
for birds such as Turnstone,
Rock Pipit and Starling.
Only a few species such
as the small Periwinkle
and the Sea Slater can
survive on the upper
shore, the area above the
average high tide level.
Look for plants such as Sea
Pink, Moss Campion, Scurvy
Grass, Spring Squill and lichens
on the rocky foreshore.
Shetland Wrens often creep
mouse-like amongst the rocks.